Salmaan Taseer’s murder — the death of reason

Salmaan Taseer’s brutal murder at the hands of a policeman is a cruel reminder of where we have landed ourselves: in a dark morass of irrationality lorded over by pernicious ideologies. Taseer was a representative of the federation in the largest province of Pakistan. Yet, as his death shows, he was very vulnerable to the deep-seated prejudice within the state and society. A target of the reactionaries and of bigots, he became a symbol of resistance against the Talibanisation of Punjab.

A scion of Urdu’s great poet MD Taseer, he was a self-made businessman and a staunch supporter of democracy in the country. He had a long history of struggle against Zia’s dictatorship. After his political hibernation, Taseer emerged as the PPP’s formidable voice of reason. His recent brave act of leading a campaign against the sentencing of Aasia Bibi rallied Pakistan’s moderate Muslims and its intelligentsia who felt emboldened by his courage. Whilst his party dilly-dallied on the issue of revising the blasphemy laws ultimately succumbing to expediency, Taseer remained firm on his position.

In Pakistan, injustice is the norm and anyone choosing to defy this norm is likely to be crushed. Such is the case with our former governor who will be remembered as a brave man of principles.

The implications of this tragic development are manifold: First, that resistance against the state-sponsored bigotry will further dwindle. Who will dare to take public positions on issues such as discriminatory laws and abuse of religion? Second, the Punjabi jihadis will celebrate this victory and further strengthen their position in the rural hinterland where militancy is bred and exported. Political parties sharing power in the province have appeased the militants or entered into political pacts with them. Third, it appears that a section of the security apparatus designed to protect public functionaries — as it has failed to protect ordinary citizens thus far — is both penetrable and prey to extremist leanings.

Benazir Bhutto’s assassination and the confounded investigation of her murder demonstrate two things: our civilian investigation and prosecution agencies are dysfunctional and that the security establishment is above the law. Taseer’s murder is yet another blow to Pakistan’s liberals and moderates alike. The worst part is that if they are eliminated, there is no guarantee of a fair investigation and trial. This is why the flawed strategy of appeasing jihadis here or in Afghanistan is so fatal for Jinnah’s Pakistan. Whatever is left of that original vision of Pakistan is now under grave danger.

If the PPP and the PML-N have to survive as political actors and present viable alternatives to the fascists and extremists, then they will have to get this murder investigated, unearth the conspiracy that must have preceded this act of terror and punish the perpetrators.

A daring soul silenced.
The idiosyncratic in his hatred didn’t grasp, that he has silenced a rare, vital and unique voice sanely & boldly defending Pakistan on fundamental national issues, notably Kashmir & KBD.

Indeed a cowardly, inhumane, illogical act. A great politician is lost.Recommend

Mullahs have poisoned minds of people with their unislamic ideology. PPP and all political parties should stand against them otherwise slowly and gradually they will wipe out all political parties. we need a secular pakistan and need to stop these mullahs.Recommend

In the afternoon of January 4, when we were engaged in talks about rationality and reason, a man appeared at the door with his fingers pointed as a gun. We breathed and he told the sad news of the murder of Salman Taseer with his thumb up. He behaved as if he was extremely excited. I did not comprehend first but later when I rushed to the market I found common folk talking about the brutal death in a way as if it meant a victory for them. I got shocked at this behavior more than the treacherous and cowardly murder of the most outspoken, and singularly daring, man among the politicians. A few of the common folk I asked why they were celebrating the death of a human being rebuffed shunned me with their fierce eyes. I was replied in one voice that he was a blasphemer; and that he deserved this.
Even the friends around me got congratulation text messages via their cell phones. I was lucky that I got a few mourning the death of a ‘Man’.
In Pakistan the masses are merely toys in the hands of those who manipulate minds using the narrative of religion. This is extremely alarming. Reason and arguments have not the least say in the general affairs of the society. The clergy haunts the reasonable voices and shuns the power of every argument with their fatwas-the religious edicts announced by men associated with the religious seminaries.
Salman Tasseer was declared infidel and ‘wajabul qatal’–liable to death–by most of the religious leaders because of his open stance against a law which at last killed him. Yet we are told that the law will never be misused.
We are in a mess. We are in a pond full of centuries’ long dirt. If a man tries to stir the pond, the result is obvious.
Tasseer R.I.P. May Khuda bless you! Recommend

As fanatic as this might sound, Mumtaz Qadri should face no more than a summary trial. already a hero for a few thousand on social networking sites, just bring him to the gallows and send him where he belongs! Let him find out how “happy” the prophet and God is with him for mercilessly killing a man who chose to be the voice and strength of the downtrodden. “RIP Salman Taseer, this country didnt deserve you.” Recommend

Death of reason? Not sure a reasonable country would name itself “land of the pure”. Very sure that a reasonable country would not execute people for saying things that offend their religious beliefs nor assassinate people who defend free speech. In short – Pakistan isn’t a reasonable country and it’s poor reputation is well deserved.Recommend

I think Pakistan has embraced silently the dark age of Europe dating back to middle ages when religious intolerance, murder, rape and all sorts of barbarity was accepted as normality !!!! What sort of barbarians we have become when the progressive world is moving ahead with economical success and tolerance.

*WILL THERE BE BIRTH OF A VOLTAIRE IN THIS WRETCHED SOCIETY TO SAY :
” I do not agree with what you have to say, but I’ll defend to the death your right to say it.”*Recommend

In the afternoon of January 4, when we were engaged in talks about rationality and reason, a man appeared at the door with his fingers pointed as a gun. We breathed and he told the sad news of the murder of Salman Taseer with his thumb up. He behaved as if he was extremely excited. I did not comprehend first but later when I rushed to the market I found common folk talking about the brutal death in a way as if it meant a victory for them. I got shocked at this behavior more than the treacherous and cowardly murder of the most outspoken, and singularly daring, man among the politicians. A few of the common folk I asked why they were celebrating the death of a human being, I was rebuffed shunned by their fierce eyes. I was replied in one voice that he was a blasphemer; and that he deserved this.
Even the friends around me got congratulation text messages via their cell phones. I was lucky that I got a few mourning the death of a ‘Man’.
In Pakistan the masses are merely toys in the hands of those who manipulate minds using the narrative of religion. This is extremely alarming. Reason and arguments have not the least say in the general affairs of the society. The clergy haunts the reasonable voices and shuns the power of every argument with their fatwas-the religious edicts announced by men associated with the religious seminaries.
Salman Tasseer was declared infidel and ‘wajabul qatal’–liable to death–by most of the religious leaders because of his open stance against a law which at last killed him. Yet we are told that the law will never be misused.
We are in a mess. We are in a pond full of centuries’ long dirt. If a man tries to stir the pond, the result is obvious.
Tasseer R.I.P. May Khuda bless you!
Murder in the Citadel Recommend

Well commentators and bloggers, the people who killed Salmaan Taseer, dont read these blogs nor do they get aspired by it. Its the media-mullah combination which inspires them.

No one from the religious community wholeheartedly condemned the incident. They just dilly dally around it. I expect more deaths with the “azaad” media just acting as a bystander coz its too scared to take these people on. Recommend

The state of Mullah’s is very bad. They hide behind the religion and follow their own agenda. The so-called thekaydars of the religion make masjids on occupied lands and then defend it with arms. Anyone who knows the religion will attest that a masjid can not be made on occupied land. They are everything that Islam is not.Recommend

Very sad news. Pakistan desperately needs people like Tasseer. Sorry, I have to disagree with mohammad abbasi – Pakistan does NOT need “real Islam”. It already HAS “real Islam” – that is the problem! Can you not see it? I can, but then I am not in Pakistan. Those who are “may not be able to see the wood for the trees”, as it were.
Voltaire said – “Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities.” This event is just the latest example of that. Recommend

Mullahs have done it again. Now all is left to rename the country to Talibistan. What is more sad to see is people feeling good as this is something to feel proud off. As a nation our head must hang in shame. People like Dr Amir Liaquat who stroke the air hatred on TV must be ignored and banished from media. How long will we continue to play at the hand of these monsters.Recommend

The Best Tribute that people of Pakistan can give to the The Brave soul is to Repeal the Manmade Blasphamy Law, Not next month, Not this year, Not through Parliment nor through SC but through special Presidential decree. May Allah rest his Soul in Peace.Recommend

@Iqbal: “I think Pakistan has embraced silently the dark age of Europe dating back to middle ages when religious intolerance, murder, rape and all sorts of barbarity was accepted as normality ….. ”

That is what you get for discarding your real Indic/Vedic roots and taking on with pride and gratitude a religious ideology brought by the likes of Muhammad-bin-Qasim and subsequent invaders and plunderers from beyond the Hindu-Kush mountains. Recommend

This shows that that extremism has penetrated everywhere. We shouldnt be surprised by this. Back in Musharraf era, when operation in Swat and Waziristan was going on, our Army (I still lub you) used to get themselves kidnapped and after ransom would be paid, they would come out all fine. That’s why back in 2009, Kiyani called the troops from Indian border and sent the ones in swat and Waziriztan to India. And we cleared that region within months.
Zia recruited army and security enforcement should be watched over very carefully and suspended if suspected.
Also combing out of illegal residents and raids on the spots which cause to generate money for talibans ( drugs area, illegal arms) is needed big time.
suspected groups and persons would be arrested too.Recommend

Let us pray that American drones hit every extremist where ever they are, in Punjab or Sindh. In fact I will welcome these targeted strikes on every madrassah and mosque which preaches distorted Islam and terrorism ! Recommend

Murder cases should be registered against jamaat islami ,Khatme nubuwat party and other religious parties. These mullahs are wild animals. They should be wiped out by force by army. Liberal people should make common front against these mullahs otherwise pakistan is doomed. Salman was killed because a real human being and had courage to stand up against these mullahs. Shame on PPP and their leaders for keeping quite and mum for rights of minorities. PPP and other political parties have been continuosly appeasing these mullahs. Had they stopped these mullahs from strike for namoos and put up a common front salman might be alive today.Ban jamaat Islami and all religious parties who are killing innocent people and have brought bad name for our peaceful religion.Recommend

However when I (from across the border in India) read above about some of the reactions of the common Punjabi in Pakistan to Mr Taseer’s assassination, I am appalled. Has radicalisation of Pakistani society (specially Punjab) reached such an extreme level that the majority of people actually celebrate the death of a person because he made an eminently sensible statement? Even if you disagree with Mr Taseer’s statement do you not realise that by killing him on account of his making this statement, you, paradoxically, show that he was right? For if he was not right his “lie” would not have mattered any way?

A person charged with protecting him misused his position, betrayed trust and faith, and killed a defenceless man like a coward. How can anyone see heroism in this?

Do the mass of people really not see that they are already on a one-way downhill course and the brakes are failing? Is this not insanity?

Islam is not in danger. Pakistan is. In very severe danger. Of self destructing.

I wish that right thinking Pakistanis continue to take a stand. Of course Mr Taseer’s assassination has made it harder for any one to “stick their neck out”. But this tragedy could and should be used by opinion makers to graphically illustrate the suicidal consequences of policies of convenience based on religion and radicalisation. Recommend

Classical case of ignorance. The security guard has no right to take the law into his own hands. And as for Blasphamy law, the death sentence, is right, the procedure for conviction is wrong. Should involve more evidence like an audio clipping or something. A mere confession by four “characterless” witnesses is not enough.Recommend

Voice of reason? Bashing Islamic laws and labeling them as “Black”, and you call that being reasonable?

Have we become so used to being stuffed up our backside by the foreign powers hell bent on destroying Islam and its followers that we are willing to disrespect the laws of Allah and His Prophet whom we (claim) to believe in?

You dare not speak a word against holocaust in Europe but want to disrespect Islam and its laws and want to be heard openly citing freedom of speech?

Majority laws in Pakistan are being misused not only the Islamic laws but the laws inherited from the British Empire yet no one wants to change that, no lets just all call Islamic laws as ancient and barbaric and lets go celebrate our freedom of speech over a glass of wine.

Reason would be to hold a trial against Salman Taseer for blasphemy and then decide his fate according to the ‘laws’ which he had broken.Recommend

BRUTAL AND SHAMEFUL ACT. The murder of Salman Taseer is not only brutal but shameful act also. In Islam the murder of one human being is treated to be murder of all humanity. Although the assasination of Salman Taseer Goernor cannot by any means be justified, yet at the same time, the good gesture is that the murderer was apprehended at the spot. Now it is for the Investigating Agency to bring the actual facts on record and to collect all the incriminating material leading to the assasination of the deceased Governor. There might be some other reasons for the assasination of the deceased as the prevelant circumstances prevailing in the country do suggest. All the hide hidden hands must be brought to picture and that too within short spane of time. Recommend

The religiouse said that We pay rich tributes and salute the bravery, valour and faith of Mumtaz Qadri the ministers, politicians, ‘so-called’ intellectuals and anchor persons should learn lessons from the governor’s death. The scholars said that those who insult the Holy Prophet (pbuh), even if they did not intend to, were liable for death.Recommend

The religiouse Scholers said that We pay rich tributes and salute the bravery, valour and faith of Mumtaz Qadri the ministers, politicians, ‘so-called’ intellectuals and anchor persons should learn lessons from the governor’s death. The scholars said that those who insult the Holy Prophet (pbuh), even if they did not intend to, were liable for death.Recommend

I cried last night and have tears again in my eyes. We will soon be another Afghanistan.

What can I/we do now?
1. Leave the country if we can and mullah will win.
2. Stay here and die fighting, like Salman Taseer, and mullah will win.
3. Stay here and do what the mullah wants us to do and mullah will win again.
4. Fight and kill the fanatics, mullahs will make them heroes and recruit hundreds more. Again mullah will win.
.
Where is the hope? Who will now confront the mullah/mullahism now? Not me, I am too weak; can you after this? Recommend

‘Reason’, I read your post with considerable alarm. Are you suggesting that Mr. Taseer had no right to challenge the blasphemy laws? Not even amending them so that Tom, Dick and Harry (or Abdul, Ali and Samad) don’t use them to settle personal scores? Strengthen them so that only the truly guilty are punished?

It is wrong for anyone to insult the Muslim religion, but perfectly acceptable to insult Hindus and Christians? Based on reports, Aasia Bibi was allegedly victimised for being nothing more (or less) then a Christian; the Muslim villagers refused to take water from her, and in their religious arrogance insulted her.

Why should she be killed? Why must she suffer after having her own honour and religion insulted so mercilessly?

Is is not thus hypocritical of Muslims to demand respect for their religion when they refuse to respect the religions of others?

Sabir Shah Zaidi:

‘The scholars said that those who insult the Holy Prophet (pbuh), even if they did not intend to, are liable for death’

Well then, fantastic, let’s just murder the whole world eh? The Prophet (pbuh) never raised a finger against those who criticised him, and biographical accounts have always portrayed him as being exceptionally well-mannered and tolerant towards followers of other religions.

What gives these ‘scholars’ the right to determine who is to die? When God forgives an unintentional crime (like breaking a fast), what gives the likes of men to punish someone with death?

I have lost faith in this country, and its ignorant masses. Yes, I shall absolutely enjoy my freedom of speech over a glass of grape juice. While you can remain silent and seething in hatred in your bigotry. Recommend

Do you know that according to Imam Abu Hanifa, you cannot kill a non-muslim for blashphemy. And article 295-C is not written in the Quran. We are not living in Europe; its not me concern if Holocaust denial is punishable or not. I am concerned with whats happening inside my country. Recommend

Are you sure?I believe speaking AGAINST holocaust is acceptable, it is speaking IN FAVOUR of holocaust that is not accepted.
Holocaust was about killing of a religious minority for being who they were,blasphemy laws achieve the same reult. So blasphemy law and holocaust are identical twins. Salmam Taseer by opposing the blasphemy law was actually opposing the mindset that led to the holocaust.Recommend

The chillingly surprising part is that the killer belonged to the ‘Barelvi’ school of through as opposed to the more Johadi, more violent, more extreme ‘Deobandi/Wahhabi’ school of thought – this shade (Green) of Islam was considered pacifist; hopefully this episose is not a prelude to a more sinister trend.Recommend

It is indeed a very sad day for Pakistan.
I am struck by how Nature is so consistent. We create Frankensteins and when we seek to control them, they come back to bite our heads off. Indira Ghandy created Bindranwale and when he refused to be controlled by her, one of his followers struck her down. Rajiv Ghandy sustained a Frankenstein named as LTTE and when it refused to be controlled by him, one of them blew him to smithereens.
It never fails, my friends! Think now how to put the Frankenstein you have created which makes life hell for people near and far, back into the bottle and suffocate it to death.Recommend

we muslims of india are very fortune to be part of India. Hindus treat muslims like their own brothers.Muslims r always free to express their views nd Ideologies….. we really enjoy our freedom … here no bloodshed , no mullah rule.. Always religion should be seperated from administration…..we thank hindus for giving us equall opportunity along with them…. i really regreat what so happened in pak…..Recommend

We need to be clear!!! It is not the mullahs but the so called liberals of this country that have led the country to the place where we are!!!! By consistently giving space to extremists, by comprising on all fronts and by failing to stand up for theirs beliefs they allowed a vacuum to be created which the mullahs with their message of hate were only too ready to fill. This is a war between two different visions for Pakistan. There are mutually exclusive and one will banish the other. The narrative of the liberals that everything can be resolved through talk is another self defeating fallacy which this community continues to suffer from. Had the western powers gone by this paradigm Nazi Germany would have been the dominant power in the world today. Pakistan’s liberal elite today is not only visionless and corrupt but more importantly is also incompetent. It would not be able to resist the on-slaughter of extremist ideology because it doesn’t have the vision, the moral courage and the instruments to give this country a truly democratic and liberal society. It is this so called liberal segment which didn’t deserve to have a person like Salman Taseer within its ranks.Recommend

Actually it was the murder of one fantastic by the hands of an other fantastic. The behaviour of Salman Taseer was not different from his killer. Although we having no enough knowledge of the injunctions of Islam, can not claim with certainity as to what ideology is correct and what is incorrect regarding the Belasphemy law but it is also an admitted fact that Salman Taseer did not bother to refer the matter to any of the Islamic institution for proper guide line rather he persisted that he and only he was right.
In this respect my humble submission before all the Muslim brothers and sisters is that that although bravery and courage are the traits of a real Man, in case of religion these are the stigma on one’s Manhood. Islam teaches us humbleness and submission before Allah Almighty and in the same it teaches us respect for the thoughts of others. So it is the time for to tolerate each other and especially if we do not have the knowledge of a particular subject we should refer the same only to the experts of that field.
Thus the best way of the resolution of the matter of the law of belosphemy is that that the same may be referred to the council of the scholars of Islamic law which may consist of a number of hundred or more scholars from the whole country otherwise there would be a complete anarchy in the country.Recommend

India: Yes please tell that to the indian muslims of Gujrat. Im sure they appreciate being the treatment handed out to them by their equal opportunity Hindu brothers. Get a clue for crying out loud. Every time I see some BJP gasbag gettting elected on promises of giving the Muslims their “just desserts” Im thankful to be on Pakistan`s side of the border.Recommend

At last – a strong message from religious scholars strongly condemning the attack and stating that the murderer should be PUNISHED!! There is still some sanity left and hopefully there are still some sane religious figures out there who will have the courage to say what is right and preach what is right accordance to the true meaning of Islam!!!!!

We are not governed by the Mullahs. And what kind of humanity are we talking here? The kind of humanity which supports the freedom of speech, and that too only when a self proclaimed liberal Muslim leader tries to support a convict of blasphemy against our Prophet. We never spare anyone who goes on and insults our parents and here we were trying to support a women who insulted our beloved Prophet and that too what for, supposed humanity. Does humanity teach us insulting the religion and beliefs of other? And was the Prophet Muhammad(pbuh) the Prophet of Mullahs alone? Shouldn’t we all be united. Mr. Taseer was assassinated for the wrong reasons? I believe he was. But then what he supported was wrong too. And he thought our judiciary had convicted the lady for the wrong reasons too. Why? Because our society has been divided into the privileged ones and the low-lives. This incident as sad as it was, was inevitable. And the according to me, The Mullahs aren’t the only ones to be blamed here. We as a nation have failed to show that Pakistan came into being because the Muslims of greater India deserved a place where they could practice their beliefs openly. And the Muslims of Pakistan now have forgotten what their basic beliefs are. Governor Taseer didn’t deserve to be murdered in such a way but then doesn’t the Prophet deserve His proper respect too? Are we celebrating a murder here? Are we supporting a murderer being Muslims? We need to make some reality checks.Recommend

I’m talking about denial of holocaust! You are not allowed to deny that holocaust happened and if you do that you will be jailed/fined or both!… Regardless of how it happened or not that’s not Freedom of speech if you deny someone the right to denial. If people in Europe (including outsiders) do not have this Freedom of Speech why do they want it over here in Pakistan? Why do they insist on abusing Islam and our Prophet and yet ask for tolerance in the name of Freedom of Speech?

@india
“…..we thank hindus for giving us equall opportunity along with them…”
No, my friend, Hindus did not do you any favour. Mind you, I am a Hindu myself. As long as you are an Indian citizen, you have the same one vote and absolutely same rights as any other be they Hindu, Sikh, Parsi, Jew, Christian or even an atheist or an agnostic. But, a citizenship entails responsibilities, too. As a citizen of India, it devolves upon you to keep your country safe, not to seek entitlements or special treatment beyond what accrue to every other citizen and to treat every other Indian as you would like to be treated yourself. It is not peculiar to India; all great people go by the same principle. We are proud to have you as our fellow citizens and you have not failed us thus far! So, thank you!Recommend

The death of governor is a sad state of affairs. But would someone tell me that while thousands of people were dying of hunger and in bomb blasts in Pakistan, the only person who “deserved” sympathies from the governor was this Asia Bibi??Recommend

You are not allowed to deny that holocaust happened and if you do that you will be jailed/fined or both!… Regardless of how it happened or not that’s not Freedom of speech if you deny someone the right to denial
Whoa,slow down brother,so not allowing denial of a ‘known documented fact’ is denial of freedom of speech?
Well by that token,
A. Qadri can claim that he did not kill the Governor as part of ‘freedom of speech’.And what is more he can claim that he is being denied his freedom of speech, if the chargesheet accuses him of killing Salman Taseer.

B. You can claim that the earth does not rotate as part of ‘freedom of speech’
I trust you get the point.

Further, in your country too, people can face all kinds of hardships for claiming to be Muslims, or for questioning the merger of ‘Ajad Kashmir’ with Pakistan.Recommend

What was happened is not right, but blaming MULLAHS for this is not right, because Mr. Taseer also did not had any rights to say the law of blasphemy the black law and no one is discussing it, the statements on these type of sensitive issues is the responsibility of MUFTIS and not an ordinary person like me or you who do not have the literacy of Islamic topics with full commands. So here I am requesting to all my country mates that kindly think before deliver the sentences which might hurt the feelings of others. Recommend

good ideas are possitive result of real life and progressive and for behalf of country.so put up the better voices .i against of the murder of not only salman taseer but all human being ………its totaly against of islamic law…………..Recommend